GAZA - A Palestinian citizen recently found large archaeological stones inside an excavation site where an Egyptian team is working to establish a residential area in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. 

A team of archaeologists led by French archaeologist Rene Elter visited the site on June 26, where they found remains of what is believed to be the largest cemetery in the Gaza Strip dating back to the Roman era, which, they said, is estimated to date back approximately 2,000 years. 

Gaza is home to a panoply of major archaeological sites buried under urban sprawl. This was the result of neglect by government and other authorities who lack the necessary experience and knowledge about the important value of such antiquities. Several sites have also been exposed to illegal excavations and looting, while Israeli planes have bombed archaeological areas located close to military sites of factions in Gaza.

The cemetery is the second to be discovered in the area this year. After inspecting the recently discovered site, Elter said in a press statement that the new site contains 100 graves; the first cemetery that was discovered near the same site contained 40. All of the discovered tombs are adorned with multicolored paintings and bayleaf crowns, according to Elter.